Edgar Wright

Edgar Wright has been making comedy films since he was 14 (among them a short entitled Rolf Harris Saves the World). His creative streak continued through his college years. There, with the help of his school friends he made a no-budget feature-length film, A Fistful of Fingers. The Western spoof was shown on the Sky Movies pay-cable network and played in limited theatrical release. He was 20 years old at the time.

The feature paved the way for his entry into television comedy. He directed sketches on Mash and Peas, and then directed and co-wrote Asylum. The latter was where he first joined forces with Simon Pegg. Mr. Wright next worked on several more comedy series, including Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round; Is it Bill Bailey; and Sir Bernard Chumley's Stately Homes. He also directed an episode of Murder Most Horrid and the 1998 French and Saunders Christmas special.

With the creation of the television show Spaced, he returned to his creative roots and strengthened his collaboration with Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson. The first series of Spaced, which was shown on Channel 4 in 1999 and earned nominations at The British Comedy Awards as well as at the BAFTA Awards, was an immediate hit. The unique visual style of his direction was singled out by critics. The second series of Spaced was an even bigger success, picking up BAFTA and International Emmy Awards nominations.

He returned to directing features and reteamed with Simon Pegg to co-write and direct Shaun of the Dead, which was a sleeper hit worldwide and earned several honors. These included two BAFTA Awards, including Outstanding British Film of the Year; and won the British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay.

Mr. Wright has also helmed a number of music videos and commercials, gaining nominations for Best New Director and Best Rock Video at the Creative Artist Design (CAD) Awards in 2003.